- Raided Score: 84
- Publication: whiskyfun
- Excerpt: I like it a little more than the 2018 but it’s still a tad underwhelming all things considered.
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- Raided Score: 88
- Publication: The Whiskey Jug
- Excerpt: There’s a light touch of that throughout the whisky and I enjoyed the way it played out through the senses. A unique aspect I’ve only found in this 25 year.
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- Raided Score: 95
- Publication: Distiller
- Excerpt: A pipe tobacco smoke binds it all together, leaving a long, luxurious finish.
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- Raided Score: 88
- Publication: Drinkhacker
- Excerpt: Cloves, pepper, and other spices emerge on the racy and lasting finish. This expression isn’t as well-formed as its 2009 rendition, but it’s still highly worthwhile.
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- Raided Score: 91
- Publication: Whiskey Raiders
- Excerpt: I hate how much I love this OB release, because someday it will cost me lots of money when I break down and buy a bottle. A stunning display of complexity and indulgence.
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Intro:
This is a distillery bottling from Laphroaig, featuring their 25yr old spirit at cask strength. Initially matured in ex-bourbon, it is finished in Oloroso wine casks. I've had this before, a different release years in the past, although I have not taken the time to pen a review. Let's change that. Time to dive in.
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Nose:
Honey, bandaids, light sea air, raspberry and vanilla. Big, powerful sweetness on the nose with that powerful peat in the background. The sherry is evident.
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Taste:
Thick, rich mouth feel. For a lower proof release, this has the richness and the thickness Id expect in something with higher ABV. Toffee, honey, fruits, and cocoa. Lots of wine character to blend nicely with the savory, funky, fish forward peat that Laphroaig nails so well.
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Finish:
Long, rich, powerful. In my opinion, peat doesnt grow tamer over time, it just blends more naturally with other flavors. This is absolutely the case here, as the Laphroaig peat shares the stage with sweet toffee, and the oloroso sherry fruits quite nicely.
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Overall:
I hate how much I love this OB release, because someday it will cost me lots of money when I break down and buy a bottle. A stunning display of complexity and indulgence.
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Score:
8
- Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
